Description: Naiad-
This is a large,
robust naiad with a length of 1 inch (25 to 27 mm). There is a curved hook
on the top of each abdominal segment two through nine, and there is a single,
rear-facing spine on each side of abdominal segments seven through nine. The
abdomen turns up at the tip.Adult-
This is a medium-sized dragonfly
with a length of 2 inches (49 to 52 mm). The face and thorax are yellowish
green. The top of the thorax may be marked with black
while each side is unmarked. The abdomen is black and marked with yellow
on the top of each segment. The underside of the tip of the abdomen is marked
with yellow and is swollen as in other members of this family. The female's
abdomen may appear olive brown to yellowish green, especially when viewed from
the side.

Range:This species is found from
southern British Columbia east to Alberta, extending south to northern California,
Colorado, and Nebraska. In Idaho, it is found throughout the state in river
systems at lower elevations.

Habitat:This dragonfly occurs
near low elevation rivers and streams.

Adult Flight Season:Mid-May to September

Diet: Naiad-
Naiads feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects, such as mosquito larvae, other
aquatic fly larvae, mayfly larvae, and freshwater shrimp. They will also eat
small fish and tadpoles.Adult-
The dragonfly will eat almost any soft-bodied flying insect including mosquitoes,
flies, butterflies, moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.

Ecology:Clubtail naiads can
be very selective in their habitat choices and will often occur only in certain
stretches of a particular river or stream. Sinuous Snaketail naiads seem to
be more tolerant of higher stream gradients and lower water temperatures than
most members of this family, and are often found in cold trout streams. They
burrow into the sand or mud, leaving the upturned tip of their abdomen exposed.
This allows them to breathe while buried by pumping water in and out of the
tip of the abdomen. Unlike most species, Clubtail naiads generally emerge as
adults during the day.
Adults generally fly from mid-May to September, and are commonly seen perching
on gravel bars. They can not tolerate cooler temperatures and are rarely seen
flying on cool or cloudy days. This is probably the most common member of the
Gomphidae family in Idaho.

Reproduction:After males and females
mate, the female flies singly, without the male attached, to lay her eggs by
dipping the tip of her abdomen in rivers or streams while perching on a rock.